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SWASA Professional Enlightenment

STAFF WELFARE ASSOCIATION OF SUNDARARAJAN ASSOCIATES (SWASA)

VOLUME 01 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2019

E-Format available in www.sunca.in

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear SWASA Members,

It is indeed a privileged occasion to share this very FIRST ISSUE of NEWSLETTER for SWASA. SWASA i.e. Staff Welfare Association of Sundararajan Associates is a registered Society with effect from 6th June, 2018 primarily formed, nurtured and developed for the benefit of all members, students and staff associated. This has been formed with a vision and a mission for members of SWASA as are detailed herein below. Those who know driving will fathom pathways but those who know pathways only need to know driving; SWASA provides opportunities to members to know both driving and pathways; driving their career pathways in a more befitting manner. SWASA initiated several programs in the past which were towards imparting knowledge, sharing specific areas of professionalism, motivational talks by several pundits in the profession, getting various newer dimensions of work that would sphere our professional jobs and above all assimilating profound ideas and knowledge for personal and institutional development with energy, commitment, dedication, interest and focus. SWASA is a disciplined set up with laudable objectives that are designed for the benefit of members and has been registered formally as a Society under the Act. The guidelines and bye-laws are known to every members of SWASA and any member having limited knowledge on the same is welcome to approach anyone of the Executive Committee (“ExCom”) Members or the Patron Member for clarity and elucidation. SWASA is always open to fresh minds and newer ideas. Objectives:

a. Administration of all round improvement of intellectual abilities and welfare of members.

b. Develop Leadership and Professional Qualities among members. c. Organise meetings, seminars and infotainment sessions for members. d. Organise tours, games and other events for entertainment and recreation of members. e. Organise social welfare programs and create awareness on services to society. f. Enforce byelaws uniformly for common advantage of all members. g. Safeguarding, promoting and protecting rights of members.

It is indeed my pride and privilege and am grateful to the Patron Member and each other members of the Executive Committee (ExCom) to participate for a common goal and achievement entrusted for SWASA. I am also extending my gratitude on behalf of ExCom to the management of Sundararajan Associates LLP, SVR Consultants Pvt Ltd., M R Quality Services Pvt Ltd, N-Able Support Systems Pvt Ltd and others for reposing confidence and tremendous support on SWASA.

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The following are the present office bearers of SWASA: President: S Samadarshini, Secretary: M Balaji, Treasurer: S Vivek Other ExCom Members: Parasuram, Padmaja, Harshita Kothari, Chetan Sharma. All these ExCom Members were elected with effect from 1st April, 2018 to hold office till the conclusion of the next Annual General Body Meeting scheduled in September, 2019. Here is a birds’ eye view on the travel we had these nine months plus: We conducted several programs for benefit of members, seminars, workshops, infotainment and tour programs. We have invited continued contributions from Alumni’s not only for our monthly newsletter launched now, but also their professional approach, newer dimensions experienced for our exclusive Blog that we have created in www.sunca.in. We congratulate those who cleared CA and qualified as Chartered Accountants for service to the profession and the nation. John F Kennedy once said: Leadership and Learning are indispensable to each other”. As SWASA has both these objectives going hand-in-hand, we are sure to achieve more milestones as we travel along. We welcome and invite every member irrespective of new joinees or otherwise to participate in every activity of SWASA whole-heartedly and without any hesitation to get the best out of SWASA. With this limited introduction, here I take pride in launching this FIRST NEWSLETTER and seek celebrative mood from everyone. We have in unison elected Padmaja Sankaran to hold the Editorial post for the SWASA MONTHLY NEWSLETTER till a new person would be inducted in her absence. We have also sought an Advisory Board which would guide us in our pathways to reach greater milestones and achievements. May I seek every member’s cooperation for development of SWASA in every sphere. We will have several programs in future to motivate all the members, some of them are as mentioned below:

a. ‘Hall of Fame’ for those who are recognised for select objectives. b. Recognition of those who would achieve certain objectives/tasks given. c. Performance Awards (on a majority decision basis) for select objectives d. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) avenues to be offered e. Interactive Sessions to express one’s own perspectives for development f. Contributions that would get published in the MONTHLY NEWSLETTER for emulating. g. Special Recognitions and Awards as would be decided by the ExCom. h. Quiz Competition regarding specific areas of subject that would be decided. i. Awards, Mementos, Acknowledgements etc., would also be provided for tasks that are

achieved in the most dexterous and befitting manner on tasks entrusted. j. Discipline and Dedication would be great qualities and a rolling shield is proposed. k. Regular interactive sessions with peers and members interse are encouraged.

We reiterate to encourage every member for their participation and contribution.

Looking forward to interact more and more with all members in the NEW YEAR 2019. Yours in Service

S Samadharshini President, SWASA

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EDITORIAL-FIRST SWASA MONTHLY NEWSLETTER “Gaining Knowledge is the first step to Wisdom

Sharing it, is the first step to Humanity” - Anonymous SWASA is born with three major traits embedded with aspects of

professionalism and thrives on Knowledge, Sharing and

Transformation. One Team! One Spirit - is our motto. Gaining

knowledge and raising Wisdom is co-terminus with reverberating

action. Action comes from profound planning and innate execution.

We are indeed delighted to release the FIRST ISSUE of our prestigious SWASA Newsletter

January, 2019. It is a great honour to be a part of Editorial Board of this newsletter. The purpose

and reach of this newsletter is primarily to keep our students, staff, alumni and friends informed

about our various programs conducted during the month and hence this newsletter will be

issued every month. The actual issue of this MONTHLY NEWS LETTER would be done during

the first week of subsequent month. In this newsletter you’ll find events of SWASA and a lot

more information that would feed your hunger for knowledge. It is also a good way to improve

one’s participation and team spirit in the group. It is reiterated that all events are organised

for the benefit of SWASA Members. The Committee believes that SWASA members

understand and appreciate inner spirit and motive behind establishment of SWASA, contribute,

co-operate, lead for its growth and eventual success. Huge thanks to the President, Secretary,

Treasurer and other ExCom Members of SWASA for offering me this great opportunity which

would be cherished with more contributions from my side.

SWASA Newsletter would also be available in website www.sunca.in. All contributions, feedback

to SWASA Newsletter are welcome. You can mail your suggestions to swasa@sunca.in

- Padmaja Sankaran

THIS JANUARY 2019 ISSUE – AT A GLANCE

1) 18th May 2018 – Pooja

Five Years before, on this day Sundararajan Associates LLP had moved from its previous

office to the present one situated at Romar House, Chamber D, 3rd Floor, 6/9, Jaganathan Road,

Nungambakkam. The evening had begun with chanting of Vedic Mantras and the performance of

rituals. The two hour function ended with the distribution of prasadham. This was participated

by almost all members of SWASA.

2) 4th June, 2018 - Seminar on Auditing

A full day programme was conducted by SWASA on 4th June, 2018 where eminent

speakers addressed a gathering of around 50 members at the Study Circle, Cathedral Road. The

session began with CA. R. Sundararajan addressing on the topic “Auditing – An Overview”.

The session was an interactive and an interesting one.

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Following this. CA. P Anand addressed the gathering on the topic “Auditing – Practical

aspects” where the practical issues that we face during audits and the key points to an efficient

and effective audit was discussed by the speaker, after which lunch was provided.

CA Vinod Kothari addressed the gathering on the topic “Using Technology for Audit”. He

enlightened the group on how to use Excel and Tally as effective tools in audits. A lot of

informative points were shared that proved to be useful in the course of audit.

Members participated raised several questions to all the speakers and were enlightened.

CA P Anand enlightening the gathering

CA R Sundararajan in another session

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3) 7th September, 2018

Krishna Jayanthi had just passed by and SWASA organized a Spiritual Pooja to Lord Krishna. Men and women from SA, MRQ, SVR and Suntech draped blue clothing for the occasion. The elegant Krishna idol was placed in the Pooja Room after which the formal session began. CA. M.P.Vijay Kumar, Council Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and an eminent Financial Reporting faculty at Prime Academy, a prestigious institution, honoured the function with his presence and interaction with staff and article assistants. CA M P Vijayakumar when addressing the students impressed upon students the Brand Equity already achieved firm and the tremendous contributions made by the students over a period of time in achieving these greater heights. The newly qualified Chartered Accountants, CA Keerthana Voora and CA Srinath of Sundararajan Associates LLP were felicitated and awarded by the Guest of Honour for their glorious achievement in their career.

CA M.P.Vijay Kumar interacting with the students Following this was the award distribution function. Staff and Article Assistants were awarded for their punctuality, discipline, regularity in updating CCH and their overall performance and contributions. The following were the awardees under various categories: CA Keerthana - Overall Performance Rank I CA Srinath - Overall Performance Rank II Rooban Alexander - Overall Performance Rank III Vidhya Sriram – Punctuality Shatruhan Khanna – CCH Updation CA K. Vijayaraghavan and CA Srinath addressed the gathering on how Sundararajan Associates LLP had helped them to grow better in the profession and how individually they could mould themselves to become a professional. They were showering encomiums on the contributions and encouragement given by Managing Partner CA R Sundararajan, Sr Partner CA Shivashanmugam, Partner CA Sripriya Sundararajan and all other partners, staff and students/colleagues but for which they would not have achieved betterment. The session was concluded with the conduct of games for the staff that developed team spirit and coherence.

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PHOTO SESSION OF THE GROUP The following photo session of the Group present on the Pooja day is shared.

4) 15th September, 2018

GST Audit was just announced by the Government and SWASA conducted a seminar for the benefit of students and staff. Participants from other CA and Law firms were also invited for the programme. CA Shankaranarayanan and CA J Murali were the speakers for the full day session. The first speaker addressed the gathering on the nuances to look for in a GST Audit and the latter explained the forms GSTR-9, GSTR-9A and GSTR-9C. Both these sessions proved to be informative and answered the anxiety and curiosity of members.

5) 23rd November, 2018

SWASA :: THE “IN-HOUSE” YOGA TRAINING PROGRAM

For the first time, SWASA has proudly conducted an “IN-HOUSE” Yoga Class under the Yoga Training Program Series (YTP) on Friday, the 23rd of November, 2018. The First Session (of a Seven Series Program) on Yoga Training was conducted for SWASA Members by the Yoga Counsellor and Partner Mr ANL Madhavann who has imparted several such sessions, during his industry practice, for established organisations including Apollo Hospitals, both in India and Overseas. This practice session as detailed, has brought in the understanding of one’s own self to determine one’s own strength to achieve larger goals. This FIRST YTP Session had the following segments:

1. Introduction 2. CLAP Session 3. Breathing Exercise-Forms of breathing and its

significance 4. Modified Raja Yoga aka Meditation 5. Pranayama-Adjudged breathing exercise 6. Laughter Session & CLAPS Session 7. Book of Comments + Sharing

Yoga is a class of profound, mental and physical

practice which helps in the synchronisation of

human mind and body. It deepens your thoughts

and relaxes your mind. The yogic journey leads

us from our boundaries, the body, to the soul.

The Yoga session was the first step of SWASA

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towards attaining its goal of benefitting the members. The response to the session was

overwhelming and the session proved to be beneficial to the gathered members.

EXTRAVAGANZA

What else could be the better way to call off a hectic audit season? It was a magical bonanza to

the Thalaivar’s movie 2.0 on 2nd December, 2018. The team thoroughly enjoyed the movie

with the company of its members. The visual treat along with its message awakened the minds

of the team.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ALUMNI

SWASA takes an immense pride in bringing out the contribution of Alumni CA K

VIJAYARAGHAVAN in this very first issue of SWASA NEWSLETTER.

On an interaction with Padmaja as Editor by CA Vijay (VJ) as is fondly called by all, here are the

extracts of his growth as narrated by him in a conversation with the Editor (Padmaja).

This would blossom many memories for all other Alumni’s which SWASA requests for their

contributions as well to be published through this column for the benefit of students and others.

Here goes the extract of conversation by CA VIJAY with Padmaja:

CA K VIJAYARAGHAVAN

“Where do I start Padmaja? “…first question to the Editor. Well. I am

indeed was reluctant to do CA as I wished I could settle down as an

Engineer. My fortune was so good that I was motivated right from the

beginning by CA R.Sundararajan and CA Sivashanmugam to what I am

today. It is indeed rare that I could not engage in any great extra curricular

activities. I was rather a reluctant student in CA and probably could not

understand in the beginning the dedication that are required to be

invested for becoming a CA. Later on, due to circumstances around me and

further encouragement by partners and colleagues in the firm, I have re-moulded myself rather

quickly. At this time I must thank CA R Nagarajan, my teacher, who openly encouraged that I

would be a CA with greater success. At that time it was so boosting, that now, I could strive to

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live up to the blessings from all. Today I can say with some pride that I am able to live up to the

expectations. I qualified as a CA and a CISA. I have conducted several audits, made presentations

in the august presence of professional peers and was able to participate in many of the national

and international seminars conducted in the city and elsewhere. I learnt, thanks to the

continued guidance and support from partners and peers, that our timely deliverables on a

holistic manner with seamless contribution to the client(s) should be the top most priority even

if the requirements from clients are dropped in the last minute; many a time, expectations from

clients are so enlarged, that even they would have missed their own commitments and timelines

from their own perspectives, struggling to look for appropriate solutions, even though prior

well-planning measures from their own side could have been a welcome step to avoid anxieties.

What I considered a few most important traits and aspects to graduate one’s own career in this

profession are:

a. Innate interest in the profession and discipline.

b. Dedicated knowledge and constant Updation/Up-gradation.

c. Understanding the jobs and timelines required to be completed

d. Finally, never to get de-motivated for any reason whatsoever.

I am not a preacher; I too have a long way to go. However there are certain rudimentary

principles that I never give up which I confirm that would all lead to greater success in the

career. I am taking this opportunity, for which I am thankful to SWASA, to record my

perspectives of the professional career growth and how as students one can reach greater

heights as time passes-on. I am extremely thankful to all partners, peers, colleagues, students

and staff for all the good they have done to me in my career but for which this growth would not

have been accomplished. Good Luck to All.

Editor Padmaja was really awestruck to get this galaxy of information and motivational points

for which she thanked him and concluded the session. It is indeed our privilege, SWASA

privilege to be associated with CA Vijay!

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME

Many contributions were made individually for the Gaja Cyclone affected Tamilnadu. Generally, philanthropic services are being rendered by members of SWASA.

OUR NEXT ISSUE-CALENDAR

Pongal Celebrations Republic Day Celebrations Interactive Session on ‘Conduct of Audits-Measurable Avenues’ 20+10 Minutes Presentation-Developing Presentation Skills Report Writing Skills

Subject Quiz-GST Case Studies

Alumni Contribution-CA Maheswari (Madam)

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BRAIN TEASER

Mail your answers to swasa@sunca.in before 20th January, 2019. The names of the first three to

send in the correct answers will be published in the next issue.

SWASA Executive Committee (ExCom):

President - S Samadharshini (96001 44167)

Secretary - M Balaji (86680 10880)

Treasurer - S Vivek (90422 58558)

ExCom Member - S Parasuram (90039 56474)

ExCom Member - Harshita Kothari (99623 21967)

ExCom Member - Padmaja Sankaran (97109 66601)

ExCom Member - Chetan J Sharma (90031 04589)

SWASA Advisory Board:

CA Sripriya Sundararajan CA K Vijayaraghavan CA ANL Madhavann